Drew Hayden Taylor chats about his latest thriller at the Vancouver Writers Fest, October 26
In Cold, Ojibway author tells the humour-laced story of two women left stranded after a tragic plane crash
Drew Hayden Taylor.
Vancouver Writers Fest presents Drew Hayden Taylor in Conversation at The NEST on Granville Island on October 26 at 8 pm, in partnership with Talking Stick Festival
TWO WOMEN ARE left stranded in Northern Canada after a tragic plane crash at the beginning of Cold, Ojibway author Drew Hayden Taylor’s latest thriller novel. From there, the plot unfurls in a suspenseful way: time jumps to a year from the accident’s occurrence, and the lives of several Toronto men and women become unexpectedly intertwined.
There are elements here of a murder mystery and a police procedural, mixed with compelling figures from traditional Indigenous folklore. It’s narrated from multiple perspectives, allowing its cast of bold characters to shine. All told, Cold is a sprawling story laced with humour and horror that will have readers stumped on its outcome until the final reveal.
Much of Taylor’s writing is informed by his work as a playwright; originally from Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario, he was artistic director of Native Earth Performing Arts from 1994 to 1997. Among his most popular productions are Toronto at Dreamer’s Rock, Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth, The Berlin Blues, and Cottagers and Indians.
Published by McClelland & Stewart, Cold is Taylor’s 35th release to date in a catalogue that spans plays, fiction novels, non-fiction novels, and collections of short stories and essays. In his Vancouver Writers Fest conversation on October 26 (which is moderated by Michelle Cyca and presented in partnership with the Talking Stick Festival), the author will unpack the ins and outs of his new novel within the context of his entire body of work.
Taylor will take part in two other events at this year’s Vancouver Writers Fest. On October 25, he’ll be at Highway to the Danger Zone: Lyrics Night, in which authors perform dramatic readings of songs from movie soundtracks; and on October 27, he’ll speak at Chiller Thrillers, a panel discussion between thriller authors with Emiko Jean and Roz Nay. 
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